Pros
I worked here briefly and am about to leave in a week or so for another opportunity (not a competitor) but I leave with a bag full of great memories and acquaintances that I hope to maintain for the years ahead. I had the opportunity to work on the most dynamic producer teams, as you can guess, individual producers have their own teams and the teams operate as silos. There is the occasional cross pollination but not that frequently. Of all the things that I have come to admire about Gallagher, it is their flexibility and relatively non existent office politics are supreme. Individual teams are cohesive and producers admire each other and are always willing to work together. Employees are respected and afforded more than enough latitude in times of need. Your manager will often look to provide you support and Gallagher is not afraid of hiring more people to help relieve some pressure on the current workforce. The teams are hierarchical but opinions are often voiced and producers are not afraid of departing from the script. This is significant because in competitors such as USI or Lockton or Willis, producers enjoy a god like status and are often too distant to delve into the matters of the other employees. Internal resources such as underwriting are useful but could use improvement and pharmacy analytics are outsourced. Between these two and some other resources a number of the usual tasks such as reporting, underwriting and vendor analysis are well managed leaving the account management teams with a lot less to deal with. Gallagher can be both, a career or a launching pad: many in the top management have long tenures, and often people depart in their first two years but such is the nature of this business.
Cons
A rigorous peer review system is needed. Deliverables are often prepared at the 11th hour and above all, the account managers are themselves responsible for the binding and printing of the material. This is absurd! Gallagher benefits are below industry standard: the cost sharing for the high deductible health plan is $180 a month for the employee only! That is virtually 50% of the plan cost. The 401k match is absurd and lower than either Lockton, USI and Willis. The retirement plan is accepting new entrants and he 401k vesting schedule is absurd too! Nevertheless their pay is at or above industry median.